Cereals - Autruy-Sur-Juine, France
Management
The farm is a member of the Arvalis Charter farm assurance scheme, which ensures that guidelines are independently inspected and verified by a third party. This gives assurances to the purchaser and consumer that regulations have been met throughout the growing and storage process.
Exploitation Qualifiee is a scheme which recognises the importance of Integrated farming. The requirements cover record keeping, fertiliser storage and applications, crop rotations and pesticide storage (along with justification for use).All practices or operations carried out must limit any risks to human health and the environment. Other aspects cover protecting the landscape and maintaining biodiversity on the farm.
The farm is a member of a local cooperative which has over 120 members, farming over 12,000 hectares of land. This enables the farm to potentially increase its income in a number of ways, including raising the general price for the grain marketed, reducing the costs of supplies purchased, and reducing handling or processing costs by assembling larger marketable volumes of grain. By amalgamating supply purchases, sales, handling and selling expenses, the cooperative operates more efficiently and at a lower cost per unit than the farm can individually. Another important aspect of this partnership is the technical advice and help offered on issues such as plant protection products and fertiliser use, giving the farm a valuable source of information.
Christophe Guerton attends regular training courses to improve and broaden his knowledge and skill base. To date, Christophe has attended courses on good spraying practices, safe use of pesticides, harvesting equipment settings and adjustment, business cost analysis and environmental protection.
Membership of independently-audited assurance schemes and a local cooperative enable the farms to work to high environmental standards whilst also benefitting financially.